Watering the Flowers 2018
Date: 2018
Dimensions: each 1m x 3m
Materials: Ceramic
Techniques: Hand made ceramic printed and textured.
Commissioned by: Beaumont Hospital Arts Team
Location: St Joseph’s Day Care Unit, Beaumont Hospital Dublin
Architects:
Description: Ceramic watering cans with flowers in different areas running along the corridor of the day care centre. This artwork has rhymes, songs and poems incorporated into the flowers and is a talking point for the residents of the care unit.
Concept: A bright corridor in the day-care unit hosts a whimsical display: watering cans brimming with flowers and playful words. Interwoven among the blooms are poems, songs, skipping rhymes, and tongue twisters—each carefully chosen to support patients undergoing speech therapy or living with dementia.
Research shows that listening to or singing familiar songs can offer emotional and behavioural benefits for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This is because the brain regions associated with musical memory often remain relatively unaffected by the disease.
This creative installation not only supports therapy but also brings colour and conversation to the department, giving patients something joyful to see and share.
In the Day Hospital Diane was invited to create a series of ceramic pieces to go on the wall
of this unit which was created for older age patients. The building has a lovely courtyard
garden planted with daffodils. One of the visitors recited the famous Wordsworth poem
word for word. Based on this feedback from staff, Diane decided to base the installation on
images of watering cans and flowers and these are inscribed with the lines of poems and
childhood rhymes. The tactile element of the work is also of benefit to this age group and
the lines of the poetry are designed for use by the speech therapists. – Daire O’Connell – Arts Coordinator
